Buy One, Give One Jaggy Initiative​

When I first visited the Child Advocacy Center, I walked through the doors a confused and

frightened little girl. To help reduce my anxiety during the interview process,

my counselor let me pick a stuffed animal from their collection. I chose a plush snow "jaguar" 

whom I immediately named “Jaggy.”

 

Jaggy became my constant companion throughout my healing journey.  I carried him

with me everywhere and slept with Jaggy every night. Today, he is a bit ragged

and frayed from all the love I gave him over the years, but he still sits proudly on

my bed-- a reminder of how far I have come. It wasn't until years later that I discovered my

beloved snow "jaguar" was actually a snow leopard!   

 

 

Snow leopards are not only breathtakingly beautiful but also endangered.  They must overcome

harsh environments and difficult circumstances to survive - much like children overcoming abuse. 

To me, Jaggy symbolizes the courage, perseverance, innate beauty, and triumph of these children,

while acknowledging their vulnerability.  This is why he graces the Advocating for Children of Trauma logo.

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Now Jaggy comes with his very own book , Evie Meets Jaggy, newly published in 2026! Co-authored with Patricia Janasky and illustrated by Jerry McDaniels, I wrote this book from a child's perspective. This trauma-informed picture book assures children of trauma that they can do hard things, that someone has walked in their shoes, and that they, too, can be overcomers. Together, Jaggy and the book create a complete life-changing comfort package placed in the hands of children during one of the hardest moments of their lives.

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In my Evie & Jaggy Initiative, I donate a Jaggy with an Evie Meets Jaggy book to Child Advocacy Centers across my home state of Alabama, where CACs conduct over 6,000 forensic interviews annually. Our vision is to one day place an Evie & Jaggy trauma-informed package into the hands of every child who walks through the door of a CAC anywhere in the country — because nationally, CACs served more than 370,000 children in 2024. That's 370,000 children who need to know they are not alone, and that they, too, can triumph over their trauma! 

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Will you help give these children their own Evie & Jaggy package to love?

 

When you buy one for yourself, we will donate one to a Child Advocacy Center.

Or, you can just buy one (or several) and donate them all. THANK YOU for helping a child

receive one of these stuffed animals to give them comfort during their healing process!

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​​Jaggy and I thank you!

Have I not commanded you? 

Be STRONG and COURAGEOUS; Do not be terrified,

Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God

will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9